Essential Information

Online homeland security diploma programs are available at the undergraduate level. Students may also earn an online bachelor's or master's degree in the field. These programs focus on law enforcement and public safety as these issues relate to crisis management and terrorism. Students can typically work around their own schedules. Online bulletin boards and e-mail foster private and public communication between students and instructors.

Diploma

Online diploma programs in homeland security may take as little as nine months to complete and are for those interested in entry-level homeland security careers, such as security guards and correctional officers. These programs provide students with a basic, foundational understanding of the homeland security field.

Common Courses

Common areas of study include the following:

Weapons

Hazardous materials and chemicals

Internet security

Gun training

Bachelor's

Bachelor's degree programs in homeland security focus on the planning, management and implementation of security operations for an organization. Students gain the knowledge needed to aid in the prevention of terrorist attacks and the preparation of emergency procedures. Online bachelor's degree programs are generally 120 credit-hours and take four years to complete on a full-time basis.

Common Courses

Emergency planning

Safety procedures

Criminal and civil justice

Tactical communications

Emergency medical services

Fire services

Security operations ethics

Domestic and international terrorism threats and situations

Master's

Online master's degree programs in homeland security may be administered within the fields of criminal justice, professional studies or public health. Those in public health often focus on public health evaluation and preparedness, response to bioterrorism and disaster, health care systems protection and biosecurity issues. Master's degrees can usually be achieved upon completion of 60 course units. The curriculum of online master's degree programs in homeland security may be divided into different areas as follows:

Bioterrorism Preparedness

Bioterrorism preparedness focuses on the threat of bioterrorism to agriculture, food supplies or animals. Students learn how to assess risk factors for terrorism and disaster, study the history of biological warfare and become familiar with the roles of local, state and federal government in biosecurity.

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness deals with the impacts of disasters, including natural disasters and diseases, on various social, cultural and economic situations. Students study causes and consequences of natural disasters as they learn to coordinate and design effective disaster plans to minimize negative effects.

Career Information for Graduates

In online degree and diploma programs in homeland security, students develop skills to prevent and respond to both natural and manmade threats. Graduates generally find work as on-the-ground security professionals.